11/04/2005 - The Environment
Agency has issued a permit to Thamesteel Limited
authorising the production of steel by Electric
Arc Furnace and associated operations at Wellmarsh,
Sheerness.
The Sheerness steelworks manufactures approximately
1000,000 tonnes of steel billet per year by
recycling scrap steel collected in the UK.
The Environment Agency has carefully assessed
Thamesteel’s application and has consulted
with Swale Borough Council and Health Protection
Agency amongst others. The Environment Agency
has examined:
the improvements proposed by Thamesteel
the effects of emissions on air quality
potential risks to human health
impacts of emissions on the environment (including
local conservation areas)
process design, management & control
measures to reduce noise
Based on the information available, the Environment
Agency is satisfied that the operation of
the steel works will not cause significant
pollution and has therefore granted a Permit
as required by the Pollution Prevention and
Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000
(as amended). This permit puts legally binding
conditions on Thamesteel, including maximum
emission limits and extensive monitoring requirements.
The Permit requires Thamesteel to make changes
to operations on site to further reduce emissions,
including noise and odour. To address odour
problems Thamesteel must improve its equipment
and operations over the next 18 months. Measures
will also be taken to prevent pollution and
the steelworks will use the best available
techniques by the end of 2007 at the latest.
The Environment Agency will ensure that these
conditions are complied with and can check
actual and historical emission levels at any
time.
Binny Buckley, Environment Agency Kent Area
Manager, said:
"In reaching our decision about the
application we have considered the concerns
of the local residents very carefully. On
balance, we are satisfied that the plant is
capable of operating in a way that does not
adversely affect health or the environment
so we have decided that steel production should
be allowed to continue. However, Thamesteel
must complete a strict improvement plan and
we will continue to monitor this and all of
their operations to ensure that our conditions
are met at all times."
Copies of the authorisation will be placed
on public registers at Swale Borough Council
Offices in Sittingbourne and the Environment
Agency Kent Area Office, London Road, Addington,
West Malling.
